Jakarta, Indonesia
CNN
—
Fans trying to escape the chaos that erupted at Indonesian Kanjuruhan Stadium was trapped last Saturday after security failed to open several exit doors, according to the national football association, contributing to a crowd crush in which at least 131 people died.
Security forces are facing growing anger over their role in the disaster, amid questions over whether officers used excessive force in an attempt to remove fans from the pitch following the 3-2 loss to Arema FC versus visitors Persebaya Surabaya.
The disaster, one of the worst in the sport’s history, saw a number of Arema FC’s 42,000 supporters clash with police, prompting security forces to fire tear gas into closed areas of the stadium. Most of the deaths – including 33 children – are believed to have occurred as panicked fans tried to flee the choking smoke, triggering a crush at the exits.
Indonesian police have opened an investigation into the use of tear gas at the game in the city of Malang, resulting in the suspension of nine officers from East Java province.
But amid allegations of mismanagement by police and game organizers, survivors of the tragedy are demanding answers.
“We were all disappointed with the result of the match but there was no (sign of) violence or chaos until the police started firing tear gas,” said Toni Lestari Widodo, 62, a fan. ‘Arema.
It only “aggravated the situation” and made it worse, he said. “The police overreacted in their handling of the situation. I really don’t understand why they did this. There was really no point in the violence (on their part).
Andi Hariyanto, 32, lost several family members in the tragedy, including his wife, two teenage daughters and nephew.
He had remained with his family in the stands to avoid joining the crowds rushing to the exits.
Riot police on the ground fired tear gas at supporters in the stands, he said.
“It was a big mistake,” he said. “Don’t they know that there were a lot of women and children watching the game as well? I still do not understand. What did we do to make them want to shoot us?
Hariyanto managed to escape the ensuing crush on his 2-year-old son, Gian.
His wife, Gebi Asta Putri Purwoko, and their two daughters, Natasya Debi Ramadani, 14, and Naila Debi Anggraini, 12, did not.
Around midnight, he returned to the stadium, where dozens of body bags lay on the ground. “One by one, I opened the covers to find my family,” he says.
“Then I found Natasya and Naila, lying close to each other,” he said, holding back tears. “I can’t remember how many bodies I checked to find them, but when I was done I still couldn’t find my wife.”
In a statement on Tuesday, the Indonesian Football Federation said it had permanently fired the security officer in charge of regulating exits from the stadium. He said some of the doors remained locked during the disaster due to an inability to communicate orders properly.
“The doors should have been open but they were closed,” said Erwin Tobing, head of the association’s disciplinary committee. There are 14 gates in total in the stadium.
The rules and security measures state that the doors must be unlocked 10 minutes before the end of a game.
On the evening of the disaster, several doors were still locked minutes after the referee’s final whistle, the association noted.
Spokesman Ahmad Riyad also blamed the shortage of workers, saying “only a few guards” were on hand to open the gates.
All Indonesian football league matches have been suspended under the orders of President Joko Widodo as official investigations are ongoing. On Wednesday, Widodo said he would order a “total audit” of football stadiums across the country in a bid to prevent further tragedies.